Manual
Building Networks for People
802.11g (2.4GHz)
Wireless G USB 2.0 Adapter
DWL-G122
D-Link AirPlus G
TM
Version 2.0
2
Contents
Package Contents ................................................................................ 3
Introduction ........................................................................................... 4
Features and Benefits .......................................................................... 5
Wireless Basics .................................................................................... 6
Installation Considerations ................................................................... 7
Getting Started ..................................................................................... 8
Using the Configuration Utility .............................................................11
Networking Basics .............................................................................. 22
Troubleshooting .................................................................................. 35
Technical Specifications ..................................................................... 38
Contacting Technical Support ............................................................. 40
Warranty ............................................................................................. 41
Registration ........................................................................................ 44
6
Wireless Basics
Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network.
Wireless adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the same
protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use
and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home, business or
public access wireless networks. D-Link wireless products will allow you access
to the data you want, when and where you want it. You will be able to enjoy the
freedom that wireless networking brings.
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a computer network that transmits and
receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used increasingly
in both home and office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee
shops and universities. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN technology are helping
people to work and communicate more efficiently. Increased mobility and the
absence of cabling and other fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial
to many users.
People use WLAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
location within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based
on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs - WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change
and relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease
of implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring
may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be fast
and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings.
Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even
outside the home or office.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced
as conventional Ethernet network devices.
Scalability - WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs
of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed
and range from Peer-to-Peer networks suitable for a small number of users
to larger Infrastructure networks to accommodate hundreds or thousands of
users, depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.
7
Installation Considerations
The DWL-G122 lets you access your network using a wireless connection
from virtually anywhere within its operating range. Keep in mind, however, that
the number, thickness and location of walls, ceilings, or other objects that the
wireless signals must pass through, may limit the range. Typical ranges vary
depending on the types of materials and background RF (radio frequency) noise
in your home or business. The key to maximizing wireless range is to follow
these basic guidelines:
Keep your product away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical
devices or appliances that generate RF noise.
4
Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the DWL-G122 and other
network devices to a minimum - each wall or ceiling can reduce your
DWL-G122’s range from 3-90 feet (1-30 meters.) Position your devices
so that the number of walls or ceilings is minimized.
1
Be aware of the direct line between network devices. A wall that is 1.5
feet thick (.5 meters), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 3 feet
(1 meter) thick. At a 2-degree angle it looks over 42 feet (14 meters)
thick! Position devices so that the signal will travel straight through a
wall or ceiling (instead of at an angle) for better reception.
2
Building materials can impede the wireless signal - a solid metal door
or aluminum studs may have a negative effect on range. Try to position
wireless devices and computers with wireless adapters so that the signal
passes through drywall or open doorways and not other materials.
3
Wireless Basics (continued)
8
Getting Started
With its default settings, the DWL-G122 will connect with other
D-Link AirPlus G products, right out of the box.
A wireless router - D-Link AirPlusTM G DI-524
A laptop computer with a D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G122
A desktop computer with a D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G122
A cable modem - D-Link DCM-201
There are basically two modes of networking:
Infrastructure – using an access point or router, such as the DI-624.
Ad-Hoc – directly connecting to another computer, for Peer-to-Peer
communication, using wireless network adapters on each computer, such
as two or more DWL-G122 Wireless Network USB adapters.
On the following pages we will show you an example of an Infrastructure
Network and an Ad-Hoc Network.
An Infrastructure network contains an access point or router. The Infrastructure
network example shown on the following page contains the following D-Link
network devices (your existing network may be comprised of other devices):
TM
TM
TM
9
You will need broadband Internet access (a cable or DSL-subscriber
line into your home or office).
Consult with your cable or DSL provider for proper installation of the
modem.
Connect the cable or DSL modem to your broadband router.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with your router.)
Install the D-Link AirPlus™ G DWL-G122 Wireless USB adapter into
an available USB port on your desktop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-G122.)
Getting Started (continued)
For a typical wireless setup at home (as shown above), please do the follow-
5
Setting up a Wireless Infrastructure Network
1
2
3
Install the D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G122 wireless USB adapter into an
available USB port on your laptop computer.
(See the Quick Installation Guide included with the DWL-G122.)
4
DWL-G122
DWL-G122
10
Getting Started (continued)
Setting up a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network
When assigning IP addresses to the computers on the network, please
remember that the IP address for each computer must be in the same
IP address range as all the computers in the network, and the subnet
mask must be exactly the same for all the computers in the network.
For example: If the first computer is assigned an IP address of 192.168.0.2
with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, then the second computer can be
assigned an IP address of 192.168.0.3 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0,
etc.
IMPORTANT: If computers or other devices are assigned the same
IP address, one or more of the devices may not be visible on the
IP Address
Install the D-Link AirPlus™ G DWL-G122 Wireless USB adapter into
the desktop computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with
the product.)
Set the wireless configuration for the adapters to Ad-Hoc mode, set
the adapters to the same channel, and assign an IP address to each
computer on the Ad-Hoc network.
Install the D-Link AirPlus™ G DWL-G122 Wireless USB adapter into
the laptop computer. (See the Quick Installation Guide included with
the product.)
DWL-G122
Wireless USB Adapter
11
Select the Wireless Networks tab.
Uncheck the box in the properties window
that enables windows configuration.
The D-Link AirPlus™ G uses the Configuration Utility as the management
software. The utility provides the user an easy interface to change any settings
related to the wireless adapter. After you have completed the installation of
the DWL-G122 (refer to the Quick Installation Guide that came with your
purchase) whenever you start the computer, the Configuration Utility starts
automatically and the system tray icon is loaded in the toolbar (see illustration
below.*) Clicking on the utility icon will start the Configuration Utility. Another
way to start the Configuration Utility is to click on Start>Programs>D-Link
AirPlus G >D-Link AirPlus™ G Utility.
Using the Configuration
If you are using Windows XP, you can use either the Zero Configuration Utility
or the D-Link Configuration Utility.
If the icon does not display in the taskbar, then click on
this icon on your desktop to open.
To use the D-Link Configuration Utility with XP, right-click
on the wireless network icon in the taskbar in the lower
right-hand corner of your computer screen.
In the window that appears, select
View Available Wireless Networks
and click the Advanced button. The
screen at right will appear.
After you have done this, you can then use the D-Link
Configuration Utility with XP by clicking on the D-Link
Configuration Utility icon.
*Configuration Utility icon in
the system tray
12
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
Link Info
SSID:
The Service Set Identifier is
the name assigned to the
wireless network.
The factory SSID setting is
default.
Tx Rate:
The default setting is Auto; Tx Rate settings are automatically determined
for an optimal speed up to a maximum of 54Mbps.
Status:
Displays the MAC address
of the access point or
router to which the
DWL-G122 is associated.
Channel:
The default setting is Auto. The channel selection is automatically detemined
by the DWL-G122.
Link Quality/Signal Strength:
Displays the signal strength and the link quality of the DWL-G122’s wireless
connection to the access point or router.
Data Rate:
Displays the statistics of the data packets that are transmitted and received.
Rescan Button:
Rescans for the strongest signal with the current SSID and associates with
that access point or router.
13
Configuration
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
Wireless Mode:
SSID:
Service Set Identifier is a name that identifies a wireless network. Access points
and wireless devices attempting to connect to a specific WLAN (Wireless Local
Area Network) must use the same SSID. The default setting is default.
Click on the pull-down menu; select from the following options:
Infrastructure - connecting to the WLAN using an access point. (This is
the default setting).
Ad-Hoc – wireless mode used when connecting directly to a computer
equipped with a wireless adapter in a Peer-to-Peer environment.
Tx Rate:
The default setting is Auto; Tx Rate settings are automatically determined
for an optimal speed up to a maximum of 54Mbps.
Channel:
The default setting is Auto. The channel selection is automatically detemined
by the DWL-G122.
14
Using the Configuration Utility (continued)
Power Mode:
Disable -This default setting consumes the most power.
Enable - This setting consumes the least power.
Preamble:
The default setting is Auto. The preamble selection is automatically detemined
by the DWL-G122.
Security
Keys 1-4:
Select the default key.
Security:
Check this checkbox if you would like security.
Auth. Mode:
Select Open/Shared Authentication, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA2, or WPA2-PSK.
Key Format:
Select either Hex or ASCII.
Key Length:
Select either 64 Bits or 128 Bits.